Two-piece flex circuit bobbin for portable computers

Abstract

A portable computer includes a base and a top pivotally mounted on the base by a hinged interconnection. A flex circuit is connected to an electrical device in the base and an electrical device in the top. A bobbin is mounted adjacent the hinged interconnection. The flex circuit is engaged with the bobbin and has a portion wrapped around the bobbin. The bobbin includes a core member and a removable cover member mounted on the core member. The cover member covers an exposed protruding edge of the flex circuit for limiting contact wear between the flex circuit and the exposed edge thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bobbin for use in a portable computer system comprising: a core member, the core member being an elongated tubular member having an oblong cross-section; and   a cover member, the cover member being an elongated member removably mounted on the core member and having an arcuate cross-section and a pair of tapered edges for lengthwise engagement of the core member.   
     
     
       2. The bobbin as defined in claim 1 wherein the core member includes a mounting flange extending radially therefrom, the mounting flange having a mounting aperture formed therein. 
     
     
       3. The bobbin as defined in claim 2 wherein the cover member includes a coupling flange for coupling engagement with the mounting flange, the coupling flange having an aperture formed therein for alignment with the mounting aperture formed in the mounting flange. 
     
     
       4. The bobbin as defined in claim 1 wherein the core member includes a raised guide surface formed on at least one end thereof. 
     
     
       5. The bobbin as defined in claim 1 wherein the core member and the cover member mounted thereon form a unitary bobbin having a substantially circular cross-section. 
     
     
       6. A computer system comprising: a housing;   a microprocessor mounted in the housing;   an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;   a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor;   a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller;   a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor;   the housing including a base and a top pivotally mounted on the base by a hinged interconnection; and   a bobbin mounted adjacent the hinged interconnection, the bobbin including a core member and a removable cover member mounted thereon, the cover member covering a substantial outer surface portion of the core member, the core member including a mounting flange extending radially therefrom, the mounting flange having a mounting aperture formed therein, and the cover member including a coupling flange for coupling engagement with the mounting flange, the coupling flange having an aperture formed therein for alignment with the mounting aperture formed in the mounting flange.   
     
     
       7. The computer system as defined in claim 6 wherein the core member includes a raised guide surface formed on at least one end thereof. 
     
     
       8. A computer system comprising: a housing;   a microprocessor mounted in the housing;   an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;   a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor;   a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller;   a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor;   a housing including a base and a top pivotally mounted on the base by a hinged interconnection; and   a bobbin mounted adjacent the hinged interconnection, the bobbin including a core member and a removable cover member mounted thereon, the cover member covering a substantial outer surface portion of the core member, the core member being an elongated tubular member having an oblong cross-section, and the cover member being an elongated member having an arcuate cross-section and a pair of tapered edges for lengthwise engagement of the core member.   
     
     
       9. The computer system as defined in claim 8 wherein the core member and the cover member mounted thereon form a unitary bobbin having a substantially circular cross-section. 
     
     
       10. A portable computer system comprising: a base;   a top pivotally mounted on the base by a hinged interconnection;   a flex circuit having a first end connected to an electrical device in the base and a second end connected to an electrical device in the top;   a bobbin core member mounted adjacent the hinged interconnection, the flex circuit having a protruding edge engaged with the bobbin core;   a removable bobbin cover member mounted on the core covering the protruding edge of the flex circuit, the flex circuit being wrapped over the cover, whereby the cover limits contact wear between the flex circuit and the protruding edge thereof;   the core member including a mounting flange extending radially therefrom the mounting flange having a mounting aperture formed therein; and   the core member including a coupling flange for coupling engagement with the mounting flange, the coupling flange having an aperture for alignment with the mounting aperture formed in the mounting flange.   
     
     
       11. The computer system as defined in claim 10 wherein the core member includes a raised guide surface formed on at least one end thereof. 
     
     
       12. A portable computer system comprising: a base;   a top pivotally mounted on the base by a hinged interconnection;   a flex circuit having a first end connected to an electrical device in the base and a second end connected to an electrical device in the top;   a bobbin core member mounted adjacent the hinged interconnection, the flex circuit having a protruding edge engaged with the bobbin core; and   a removable bobbin cover member mounted on the core covering the protruding edge of the flex circuit, the flex circuit being wrapped over the cover, whereby the cover limits contact wear between the flex circuit and the protruding edge thereof, the core member being an elongated tubular member having an oblong cross-section, and the cover member being an elongated member having an arcuate cross-section and a pair of tapered edges for lengthwise engagement of the core member.   
     
     
       13. The computer system as defined in claim 12 wherein the core member and the cover member mounted thereon form a unitary bobbin having a substantially circular cross-section. 
     
     
       14. The computer system as defined in claim 12 wherein the oblong cross-section of the core member and the arcuate cross-section of the cover member mounted thereon form a unitary bobbin having a substantially circular cross-section and the tapered edges of the cover member form a substantially smooth joint with the core member. 
     
     
       15. A method of improving wear in a flex circuit mounted on a bobbin in a computer system comprising the steps of: attaching an edge portion of the flex circuit onto an elongated surface of a tubular bobbin core having an oblong cross-section;   mounting a removable elongated bobbin cover, having an arcuate cross-section and tapered edges, on the bobbin core to cover the edge portion of the flex circuit;   wrapping an extended portion of the flex circuit over the bobbin cover to avoid wear contact between the edge portion and the extended portion of the flex circuit;   mounting the bobbin core, bobbin cover the flex circuit adjacent a hinged interconnection between a top portion and a base portion of a portable computer;   electrically connecting one end of the flex circuit to an electrical component in the top; and   electrically connecting another end of the flex circuit to an electrical component in the base.